Cover, Lise Alschuler. Photo by Hal Baim
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REVIEW BY TRACY BAIM
Alternative Medicine Magazine's Definitive Guide to Cancer: An Integrative Approach to Prevention, Treatment, and Healing. By Lise Alschuler, ND, and Karolyn A. Gazella. Second edition, by Alternative Medicine Magazine, published by Celestial Arts, 536 pages, $39.95, www.tenspeed.com .
Cancer is a six-letter word that comes loaded with all kinds of medical, societal and psychological baggage. Understanding cancer fully is impossible, because even the medical community has not completely mastered its many forms and its hidden triggers.
But a lot is known about cancer, and The Definitive Guide to Cancer by authors Lise Alschuler ( of Chicago ) and Karolyn Gazella ( of Boulder, Colo. ) attempts to make cancer more understandable to those of us who are not in the medical profession.
The book has been completely re-done in this second edition, and the new authors provide very up-to-date details on a wide range of issues surrounding the complicated disease of cancer.
What's probably most key about the book is that the authors' approach is not one-sided, meaning they do not advocate removing oneself entirely from the traditional forms of cancer screening and treatment, when needed. Rather, they want patients to view the many potential paths to prevention and treatment, including 'Complementary and Alternative Medicine,' or CAM. CAM treatments might include everything from acupuncture and biofeedback to psychotherapy and Reiki.
The book does an excellent job of teaching readers how to evaluate for themselves a wide range of traditional and CAM treatments, including tips on how to avoid being scammed by un-proven new theories.
Patient perspectives are sprinkled throughout. These are personal stories of dealing with cancer. One such essay is 'Third Time's a Charm' by Ann Adams, a Chicago activist who has three times faced death, first through an altitude sickness problem, and then two more times through cancer, breast cancer ( in 2003 ) and thyroid cancer ( in 2006 ) . Adams is also the partner of the book's co-author, Lise Alschuler, and they are supporters of numerous Chicago-area LGBT organizations. Both of the book's authors are lesbians, but that is only relevant in that they have written a book that is truly accessible to all kinds of people. Cancer knows no sexual orientation, but there are some concerns that lesbians may face an increased risk of some cancers, possibly due to lifestyle choices, stress and a lower interaction with the healthcare establishment.
Thus, for the authors, cancer is a personal issue, one impacting their close families. Not only did Alschuler's partner Ann face cancer twice, but her father passed away from the disease in 2006. Gazella faced her own cancer, in addition to her sister's two-time battle and her mother's eventual death from the disease.
Alternative Medicine Magazine's Definitive Guide to Cancer begins by setting the stage in Part One for exactly what is known about cancer. This includes the causes of cancer; prevention of cancer; and early detection and diagnosis. The primary causes of cancer can be grouped under four areas: genetics and family history ( a small percentage ) , obesity and dietary habits; environmental influences and lifestyle factors ( including smoking ) .
In Part Two, we learn about treatment options. This includes conventional treatment, CAM treatments, an integrative approach, diet and nutrition, lifestyle factors and supporting your body during conventional treatment ( radiation and chemotherapy can knock the body down ) .
Part Three moves to the specifics of the immune system ( a good overview for anyone dealing with a compromised immune system, including from HIV ) , inflammation, hormonal influences, insulin resistance and digestion. As with other parts of the book, the recommendations would serve readers well when facing the potential of many diseases beyond cancer, including diabetes.
Part Four is a chapter-by-chapter review of every major type of cancer, such as bladder, bone, breast, gastric, kidney, lung, ovarian, testicular and uterine.
While some of the information seems pretty basic, all of it is important to repeat, and having it in one book is helpful. For example, their Top 10 Ways to Prevent Cancer and Enhance Health go beyond basic lists and actually provide in-depth details on types of fruits and vegetables and what each might do in boosting the body's internal systems.
'Our goal is to present information on integrative cancer prevention and treatment in a practical, useful manner so you will be able to make informed decisions based on your specific circumstances and comfort level,' the authors write in their introduction. 'You have choices. We will present scientifically substantiated information that will help you make decisions. We understand that the amount of information, the number of decisions and the implications of those decisions can be overwhelming. This book is here to help.'
And the authors succeed in those goals. The book is accessible for those not in the medical profession. It is a great read for pretty much anyone, because everyone should be concerned about cancer. If it does not personally impact your own body, you will likely experience the disease through family and close friends. For people with HIV and AIDS, as certain drugs are able to make that disease more manageable, cancer could sneak in and attack their weakened immune system. The goal of this book is not to provide false hope, but to provide tools for potential survival. People will die from cancer, but the authors hope they can help everyone in easing their pain and suffering, even if their time left is short.
The incident rate for all forms of cancer is rising. Use this book as a guide for yourself in prevention, and keep it ready to use when a crisis might occur. As the saying goes, 'information is power.' That makes Alternative Medicine Magazine's Definitive Guide to Cancer a powerful new book.
Authors Lise Alschuler and Karolyn Gazella will speak about their book, and sign copies, at a presentation Thurs., Sept. 6, 5:30-8 p.m. at Murphy Auditorium, 50 E. Erie. RSVP to Dawn Musich at 847-872-4025.